RIVERDALE, Utah — Two children at the center of an AMBER Alert issued Monday were safely located, and the suspect connected to their abduction has been arrested.
Riverdale Police Chief Casey Warren confirmed the children are now in safe hands and will be placed with family members.
“We’re relieved that the children were found unharmed and are now being cared for,” Warren stated Monday evening.
Suspect Arrested After Extensive Search
Authorities apprehended 29-year-old Ricardo Rojel Trujillo after receiving reports of his vehicle in Springville Canyon. Though his truck was unoccupied, officials found Trujillo in the area along with the missing children.
Trujillo was taken into custody and interviewed by detectives Monday night.
Meanwhile, a separate investigation is underway after law enforcement responded to a house fire and discovered a deceased woman inside the residence. Police confirmed the woman was the mother of the two children but have not released further details about her identity.
Suspect’s Prior History
Court records show that Trujillo was previously arrested in January for domestic violence. In 2021, he also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor assault charge.
“This is a heartbreaking situation,” Warren said. “However, we are grateful we were able to recover the children safely.”
Public Assistance and AMBER Alert Cancellation
The AMBER Alert was officially canceled by the Utah Criminal Justice Information System (UCJIS) around 8 p.m. on Monday. Police credited the public’s assistance and numerous tips that helped in the case.
Multiple agencies collaborated in the search, and authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case .
